Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” _______ The God of All Comfort!
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
What comfort we who are the people of God can find in these verses above. God is our Father, He is called the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. The self-existent one, Jehovah, the great I AM, is our comfort. He comforts us in times of sorrow. He comforts us in times of distress. He comforts us in trials and tribulations. Beloved, He comforts us at all times.
We see then, we who are comforted by God are able to comfort others, our brothers and sisters in Christ, by telling them and reminding them how God Himself has comforted them and us at all times. Never forget that you are not alone when you go through trials, as a believer in Christ our great God is ever with you and has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.
I ask you, do you need comfort during these times of uncertainty? Do you need comfort in times of struggle in your life? Do you need comfort as you look at your own sinfulness, even after we are saved? I know I do. When I see the sinfulness of my own heart, I cry out to God just as every born again blood washed child of God does and just as the publican did saying, “God be merciful to me the sinner.”
Look then to the God of all comfort, look to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only savior of sinners. He is the believer's source of comfort, just as He is the source of our salvation and all spiritual blessings which are in Christ Jesus our Lord! True joy is a fruit of the Spirit, just as love, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are.
Let us look to our everlasting God who is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Oh what joy will fill the believers heart when we do! Praise the mighty name of Jesus!
Wayne _______ On whom do you trust?
“…now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?” Isaiah 36:5
Here is a question for you and for me; On whom do you trust?
Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian’s answer, and see if it is yours.
On whom do you trust?
I trust, says the Christian, in the triune God of Scripture!
I trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the foundation of the world. I trust Him to provide for me in His providence, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to His own house where the many mansions are!
I trust the Son. The man Christ Jesus—is also the true God. I trust in Him as my Redeemer—to take away all my sins by His atoning sacrifice, and to adorn me with His perfect righteousness. I trust Him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before His Father’s throne. I trust Him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust Him . . .for what He is, for what He has done, and for what He has promised yet to do!
I trust the Holy Spirit. He has begun to save me from my inbred sins; I trust Him to finally drive them all out. I trust Him . . .to curb my debased temperament, to subdue my stubborn will, to enlighten my darkened understanding, to check my evil passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my spiritual weakness, to provide my spiritual nourishment, to reign in me as my loving King, to sanctify me wholly, and then to take me up to dwell forever in glory!
Oh, blessed trust! To trust Him . . .whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be confounded, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution!
Happy are you, reader, if this trust is yours! So, trusting, you shall enjoy sweet peace now, and glory hereafter! The foundation of your trust shall never be removed!
C.H. Spurgeon -----------------
Sons! Brethren! Princes! Friends! Heirs! Jewels! My Portion! Mine!
“And they shall be Mine, says the LORD Almighty, in that day when I make up My jewels!” Malachi 3:17
“MY JEWELS!” Of what favored creatures does Jehovah thus speak? Is it of seraphs? Is it of angels? Methinks, at such a title, even they would take the dust of abasement, and veiling their faces, cry, “Unclean! unclean!” But, marvel of marvels! It is redeemed sinners of the earth — once crude, unshapely stones, lying in “the horrible pit and the miry clay,” amid the rubbish of corruption — who are thus sought out by divine grace, purchased by divine love, destined through eternity to be set as jewels in the crown of the eternal God!
“The Lord’s portion is His people!” There is a surpassing revelation of love here. Great, unspeakably great, is the privilege of the believer — to be able to look up to the everlasting Jehovah, and say, “You are my portion, O Lord!” But what is this, in comparison with the response of Omnipotence to the child of dust, “You are Mine!” Reader, have you learned to lisp your part in this wondrous interchange of covenant-love, “My beloved is Mine — and I am His!”
What an array of wondrous titles belong to the saints of God, and given, too, by God Himself, in His own Word! He calls them — Sons! Brethren! Princes! Friends! Heirs! Jewels! My Portion! Mine!
And when is the time when they become thus dear to Him? Sinner, when you wept at the cross of Jesus — you became His jewel. No — from eternity past — “He has loved you with an everlasting love!” True, you are not yet set in His crown. You are yet undergoing the process of polishing. Affliction is preparing you; trial is needed to remove all the roughness and blemishes of nature, and make you fit for your Master’s use. But, blessed thought! “Now it is God who has made us (literally, chiseled or polished us) for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” Yes, God Himself, the possessor, who prized that earthly jewel so much, as to give in exchange for it Heaven's “Pearl of great price” — He has the polishing in His own hand! He will not deal too rashly or roughly!
A jewel in Immanuel’s crown! Not only raised from the ash-heap to be set among princes; but to gem through eternity — the Forehead that for me, was once wreathed with thorns!
Shall I murmur — can I murmur, at any way my Savior sees fit to polish and prepare me for such an honor as this? Let me sink down on my nightly pillow overpowered with the thought; and as I hear my covenant God whispering in my ear the astounding accents, “You are Mine!” I may well reply, “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me live in safety!” Psalm 4:8
John MacDuff ------------------ Do not be afraid
How wonderful is Christ’s administration in His kingdom of grace! He is present with all His creatures—but in a special manner with His own people—each of whom are monuments of His saving power. For He finds them all in a state of rebellion and enmity—and makes them His willing people! From the moment that He reveals His love to them—He espouses their cause, and takes all their concerns into His own hands. He is near and attentive to every one of them—as if there were only that one!
This high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, before whom the angels veil their faces—condescends to hold communion with those whom men despise. He passes by the kings and the princes—to manifest Himself to a humble soul in a mud-walled cottage! He . . .comforts them when in trouble, strengthens them when weak, makes their beds in sickness, revives them when fainting, and upholds them when falling!
He so wisely and effectually manages for them, that, though they are persecuted and tempted, though their enemies are many and mighty—nothing is able to separate them from His love!
We shall find Him, in all situations—to be our sun, shield, and exceeding great reward! He says to all of His children, “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior:....” Isaiah 43:1-3 –John Newton (edited) ----------- An almighty Watcher, a sleepless Guardian, a faithful Friend!
“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night...!” Psalm 91:5
What is this terror? It might be the cry of fire, or the noise of thieves, or the shriek of sudden death!
We live in the world of death and sorrow. This should not alarm us, for be the terror what it may—the promise is that the believer shall not be afraid.
Why should he? God our Father is here—and will be here all through the lonely hours. He is an almighty Watcher, a sleepless Guardian, a faithful Friend!
Nothing can happen without His direction, for even Hell itself is under His omnipotent control. Darkness is not dark to Him. He has promised to be a wall of fire around His people—and who can break through such a barrier?
Worldlings might well be afraid, for they have . . . an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning Hell beneath them!
But we who rest in Jesus are saved from all these, through His rich mercy.
“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior:....” Isaiah 43:1-3 --Charles Spurgeon ----- Reading Schedule for April 26 - May 2 26- 2 Samuel 23-24 Luke 19:1-27 27- 1 Kings 1-2 Luke 19:28-48 28- 1 Kings 3-5 Luke 20:1-26 29- 1 Kings 6-7 Luke 20:27-47 30- 1 Kings 8-9 Luke 21:1-19 1- 1 Kings 10-11 Luke 21:20-38 2- 1 Kings 12-13 Luke 22:1-30
Older
Top
